Before 'The Star Spangled Banner' was the national anthem, 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' was the Black national anthem. This year, it turns 125

Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing,” a song often called the Black national anthem, was sung before the Super Bowl for the fifth year in a row Sunday.

R&B vocalist Ledisi performed the black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” ahead of the 2025 Super Bowl matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. The 52-year-old wore all white and was joined by 125 New Orleans high school students for the performance, in honor of the hymn’s 125th anniversary.